breaking news:

16th amendment’s appeal hearing adjourned till May 8

Sun Online Desk
7th March, 2017 11:13:43

The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed May 8 for next hearing on an appeal against the High Court verdict that scrapped the 16th amendment of the constitution which empowered the parliament to remove an apex court judge.

The Apex Court passed the adjournment order following a time petition moved by Attorney General Mahbubey Alam.

Earlier on February 8, the SC appointed 12 senior jurists as amici curiae (friends of court) seeking their opinions over the legality of the 16th amendment.

The court also requested them to place their opinions before it on March 7 (today).

On September 17, 2014, the Jatiya Sangsad passed the 'Constitution (16th Amendment) Bill, 2014' without any opposition, empowering Parliament to impeach judges of the Supreme Court for their 'incapacity' or 'misconduct'.

Nine Supreme Court lawyers filed a writ petition with the High Court on November 5, 2014, questioning the validity of the amendment.

On May 5 last year, the HC declared the 16th Amendment to the Constitution illegal. The government on January 4 filed an appeal challenging the HC decision.

The Constitution drafted in 1972 had given the MPs the power to impeach judges and decide their term in office.

But after the Fourth Amendment in 1975, the power was vested with the President.